Attempt to axe £12,000 support for Littlehampton’s Tamarisk Centre scuppered

Pointing to a further £10,000 one-off reduction in the money the council gives charity Age UK West Sussex to run the centres, Liberal Democrat leader Francis Oppler told the full council session: “It is a particularly cruel move by the Conservative group, as these centres are a lifeline for many older residents within the district.

“For some, they provide the only hot meal and social contact they have during the day.

“For those people who live alone, it might be the only time they get to spend time with other people; these cuts will really hit their quality of life.”

However, Paul Wotherspoon, Arun’s cabinet member responsible for the day centres, denied they were under threat.

He said: “I have visited the day centres. They are booming. While day centres come under me, they will be safe in my hands.”

Council leader Gill Brown said Age UK had confirmed it could manage with the funding cut, without an adverse impact on those using the centres.

Mr Oppler proposed an amendment to the budget recommendations, recognising the “vital role” the two centres played in the lives of Arun’s older people and calling for the £12,000 per year cut to be reinstated until the contract ends in 2016.

However, the amendment was defeated by 35 votes to seven, with strong opposition from Conservatives.